Wickford plans for 25 new park homes set to be refused

The bid to replace the former Sirocoby Kennels and Cattery in Newhouse Avenue, Wickford, with 25 new residential park homes were submitted to Basildon Council last year. 

A previous application had been approved to transform the site into a mixed-use development of buildings for retail, storage, and industrial processes.

However, the approved development has not been implemented, and it is argued by the applicant that a mobile home park with 25 units would should be considered as a better use.

Nevertheless, planning officers have recommended that the proposal be refused.

George Jeffery, the Conservative councillor responsible for Wickford Park ward, said: “Development in the green belt should only take place after all brownfield sites are exhausted.

“The new Labour administration at Basildon Council may decide to approve this development as they have now pledged to achieve the substantially increased housing allocation set by Westminster.

“But the council should exhaust all brownfield sites first.”

When the previous plans were approved, some Basildon councillors warned that an industrial development in the green belt and residential area was inappropriate and would have a negative impact on neighbours.

If this new application is approved, the site will accommodate an internal access road running throughout as well as an office building with visitor parking to the east of the entrance.

The proposed park homes will measure 40ft by 20ft, each with dedicated parking.

According to the plans, the new "low-cost" homes with a "well-designed layout and landscape" will make best use of the previously developed land within an area with "a demonstrable shortfall of housing stock".

However, a number of objections have been received from neighbouring occupiers and also Wickford Town Council.

Objections include concerns about the land being green belt, overdevelopment, the development being out of character in the current street scene, and highway safety.